Hollow Nano-Particles and Method Thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a hollow nano-particle comprising a crosslinked shell and a void core; and a preparation method thereof. The hollow nano-particle may be used in rubber composition, tire product, and pharmaceutical delivery system etc.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/642,796, filed Dec. 20, 2006, which, in turn, claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/751,830, filed Dec. 20, 2005, each of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a hollow nano-particle comprising a crosslinked shell and a void core; and a preparation method thereof. The hollow nano-particle may be used in rubber compositions, tire products, and pharmaceutical delivery system, among other applications.

Nano-sized particles of various shapes and sizes are very important in modern industry for they can be used as, for example, processing aids and reinforcing fillers in a variety of fields including catalysis, combinatorial chemistry, protein supports, magnets, and photonic crystals. For example, nano-particles can modify rubbers by uniformly dispersing throughout a host rubber composition as discrete particles. The physical properties of rubber such as moldability and tenacity can often be improved through such modifications. However, a simple indiscriminate addition of nano-particles to rubber is likely to cause degradation of the matrix rubber material. Rather, very careful control and selection of nano-particles having suitable architecture, size, shape, material composition, and surface chemistry, etc., are needed to improve the rubber matrix characteristics.

Advantageously, the present invention provides hollow polymer nano-particles with well-controlled architectures such as controllable void core size. The hollow nanoparticles may be widely used in rubber compositions, tire products, and pharmaceutical delivery systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention is to provide a hollow nano-particle comprising a crosslinked shell and a void core.

A second aspect of the invention is to provide a method of preparing a hollow nano-particle comprising a crosslinked shell and a void core via micelle formation.

A third aspect of the invention is to provide a rubber composition comprising a hollow nano-particle comprising a crosslinked shell and a void core.

A fourth aspect of the invention is to provide a pharmaceutical delivery system comprising a hollow nano-particle comprising a crosslinked shell and a void core.

A fifth aspect of the invention is to provide a tire product comprising a hollow nano-particle comprising a crosslinked shell and a void core.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a scheme illustrating a preparation procedure of hollow nano-particles according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the 100 nm-scale transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image of not-yet-hollow nano-particles according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows the 400 nm-scale TEM image of not-yet-hollow nano-particles according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows the 100 nm-scale TEM image of hollow nano-particles according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 shows the 200 nm-scale TEM) image of hollow nano-particles according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood herein, that if a “range” or “group” of substances or the like is mentioned with respect to a particular characteristic (e.g. temperature, size, pressure, time and the like) of the present invention, it relates to and explicitly incorporates herein each and every specific member and combination of sub-ranges or sub-groups therein whatsoever. Thus, any specified range or group is to be understood as a shorthand way of referring to each and every member of a range or group individually as well as each and every possible sub-range or sub-group encompassed therein; and similarly with respect to any sub-ranges or sub-groups therein.

The present invention provides a hollow nano-particle comprising a crosslinked shell and a void core. With reference to FIG. 1, the hollow nano-particle may be prepared by a method which comprises:

(A) in a first solvent, providing a first polymer globule (101) which is insoluble in the first solvent;

(B) providing a second polymer (102), which is soluble in the first solvent;

(C) copolymerizing the second polymer 102 with a third polymer (103), which is insoluble in the first solvent;

(D) around the first polymer globule 101, assembling a micelle from the block copolymers which comprise the second polymer blocks 102 and the third polymer blocks 103;

(E) crosslinking the third polymer blocks 103; and

(F) in a second solvent in which the first polymer is soluble, dissolving out at least a portion of the first polymer globule 101 from inside the micelle to form a hollow or void core (104).

In an embodiment of the invention, the first solvent comprises a non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, and the second solvent comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent. The non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent may be selected from aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, decane, and the like, as well as alicyclic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane, methyl cyclopentane, cyclooctane, cyclopentane, cycloheptane, cyclononane, cyclodecane and the like. These non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvents may be used individually or in combination. However, as more fully described herein below, for the purpose of micelle formation, it is preferable to select a non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent in which the second polymer or polymer block 102 is more soluble than the third polymer or polymer block 103.

The first polymer may be any polymer which is so insoluble in the first solvent, such as the non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, that when generated in, or dispersed through, or mixed into, the solvent, it undergoes conformational adjustment to form a globule 101, minimizing its surface area exposed to the solvent surrounding it. In exemplary embodiments, the first polymer constitutes a colloid in the non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent. “Colloid” is a short synonym for colloidal system, in which the term “colloidal” ordinarily refers to a state of subdivision, implying that the molecules or polymolecular particles dispersed in a medium have at least in one direction a dimension roughly between 1 nm and 1 mm, or that in a system discontinuities are found at distances of that order.

In various embodiments, polymerization of 101 and copolymerization of 102 and 103 may be conducted by any suitable polymerization mechanism such as chain reaction or stepwise reaction. By chain polymerization reaction is meant, for example, anionic reaction, free radical reaction, and cationic reaction, among others.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, anionic polymerization reaction is used to generate the first polymer globule 101, the second polymer block 102, and the third polymer block 103.

In various embodiments, the first polymer may be synthesized from a monomer of formula (I) by anionic or free radical polymerization, preferably by an anionic polymerization reaction as shown below:

in which R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ can be independent of each other and selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, and isopropyl; m can be any integral number in a range of from 0 to 6; and the degree of polymerization (DP), n, for final globule 101 is in a range of from about 10 to about 100,000,000, preferably in a range of from about 10 to about 100,000.

In preferred embodiments, the non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent is hexane; and the monomer of formula (I) comprises styrene, which corresponds to that situation wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ are all hydrogen and m is 0 (direct bond). The degree of polymerization n directly dictates the length and molecular weight of the first polymer such as polystyrene, and therefore also indirectly determines the size of the first polymer globule 101 and the size of the hollow or void central core 104 of the final hollow nano-particles according to the present invention, which are typically in a range of from about 1 nm to about 500 nm, preferably in a range of from about 1 nm to about 100 nm. Taking polystyrene as a representative example, the value of n is preferably in the range of from about 10 to about 100,000,000, preferably from about 10 to about 100,000. So the polystyrene globule 101 and the hollow or void central core 104 will be typically in a range of from about 1 nm to about 500 nm, preferably in a range of from about 1 nm to about 100 nm.

In Step (B) of the method, the second polymer or polymer block 102 may be any polymer or polymer block which is highly soluble in the first solvent, e.g. a non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, to form a homogenous solution therein prior to micelle formation. In various embodiments, the second polymer or polymer block 102 may be synthesized by an anionic polymerization reaction from a conjugated 1,3-diene monomer of the formula (II) as shown below:

in which R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, and isopropyl. C₄-C₈ conjugated diene monomers of formula (II) are the most preferred.

In an embodiment, specific examples of the monomers used to form the second polymer or polymer block 102 include, but are not limited to, 1,3-butadiene, Isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene), cis- and trans-piperylene (1,3-pentadiene), 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, cis- and trans-1,3-hexadiene, cis- and trans-2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, cis- and trans-3-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-pentadiene, and the like. In preferred embodiments, 1,3-butadiene is used to form the second polymer or polymer block 102.

In Step (C) of the method, the third polymer or polymer block 103 may be any polymer or polymer block which is insoluble or less soluble than 102 in the first solvent such as non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, thus facilitating the micelle formation from copolymers 102-co-103. For example, without termination, the second polymer or polymer block 102 that bears an anionic living end may be further used in Step (C) to initiate the copolymerization of a monomer of Formula (III) as shown below, forming eventually the third polymer or polymer block 103 in micelle form.

in which R₉, R₁₀, R₁₁, and R₁₂ may be the same or may be independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, and isopropyl; p can be any integral number in a range of from 0 to 6.

In various embodiments, the first polymer globule 101 and the third polymer or polymer block 103 may be made from the same or different monomers. In an embodiment, the formula (III) monomer is the same as formula (I) monomer such as styrene, which corresponds to that situation wherein R₉, R₁₀, R₁₁, and R₁₂ are all hydrogen, and p is 0, which means no methylene group and a direct bond is present.

In Steps (B) and (C), a bock copolymer such as diblock copolymer is formed from the second monomer of formula (II) and the third monomer of formula (III) via an anionic mechanism, although cationic, free radical, and stepwise condensation polymerizations are also contemplated. Another exemplary method of forming substantially diblock polymers is the living anionic copolymerization of a mixture of the second and the third monomers in the first solvent, such as non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, particularly, in the absence of certain polar additives, such as ethers, tertiary amines, or metal alkoxides which could otherwise effect the polymerization of the separately constituted polymer blocks. Under these conditions, the second monomers generally polymerize first, followed by the polymerization of the third monomers.

In Step (D) of the method, a sufficient number of the block copolymer chains, such as diblock copolymer chains, are believed to spontaneously assemble and form a micelle around the first polymer globule 101. In a specific embodiment, along the chain of the block copolymer, atomicity of its pendant groups changes in a monotonous manner from one block to another, which provides a driving force for the micelle formation. The first polymer globule 101 is more compatible with the third polymer block 103 than with the second polymer block 102 or with the first solvent, such as a non-aromatic solvent, e.g., hexane. A micelle will be formed as shown in FIG. 1, in which the first polymer globule 101 is entrapped inside the micelle, and each of the micelle copolymer chains will be so orientated that the second polymer blocks 102 point outward to the solvent phase, and the third polymer blocks 103 point inward to the first polymer globule 101.

As will be fully described though this specification, the preparation of block copolymer micelles and eventually the desired hollow nano-particles can be accomplished and optimized by careful control over selection and quantity of the second monomer, the third monomer, polymerization initiator, solvent, crosslinking agent, reaction temperature, and other components such as 1,2-microstructure controlling agent, and antioxidant. For example, pertaining to the second and third monomers as well as solvents identified herein, nano-particles are generated by maintaining a temperature that is favorable to polymerization and micelle formation, for example polymerization speed, of the selected monomers in the selected solvent(s). Preferred temperatures are in the range of about −100 to 200° C., with a temperature in the range of about −10 to 150° C. being particularly preferred.

In Step (E) of the method, the third polymer block 103 is crosslinked with a cross-linking agent. This step is important because it can integrate the micelle prepared from Step (D). In other words, it can enable the micelle to survive the solvent change in future steps thereby enhancing the uniformity and permanence of the shape and size of the resultant hollow nano-particle. In embodiments of the invention, the cross-linking agent has at least two reactive groups, for example, vinyl groups which can be polymerized, leading to a crosslinked polymer network. Preferably, a selected crosslinking agent has an affinity to the third polymer block 103 and can migrate to the inner space of the micelles due to its compatibility with the third monomer and the initiator residues present inside the micelle and its relative incompatibility with the first solvent and the second polymer block 102. Preferred crosslinking agents include, but are not limited to, di-vinyl- or tri-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, such as divinylbenzene (DVB).

In Step (F) of the method, the second solvent which is a solvent such as benzene, toluene, xylene, THF, HCCl₃, or mixtures thereof, is used to dissolve out the first polymer globule 101 from inside the micelle, thereby forming a hollow or void central core. In some embodiments of the present invention, due to the density difference between the hollow nano-particle and the first polymer globule 101, for example free polystyrene, other means such as centrifuging may be further used to enhance the separation process.

Optionally, the final hollow nano-particles may be protected by an antioxidant. Suitable antioxidants include, but are not limited to, butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) such as 2,6-ditertbutyl-4-methyl phenol or other stereochemically-hindered phenols, thioethers, and phosphites. The antioxidant may be added to the reaction system at anytime, and preferably after Step (F) is completed.

Prior to the crosslinking, the copolymer comprising blocks 102 and 103 may exhibit a M_(w) of about 100 to 100,000,000, more preferably between about 1,000 and 1,000,000. A typical diblock polymer will be comprised of 1 to 99% by weight of the polymer block 102 and 99 to 1% by weight of the third polymer block 103, more preferably 5 to 95% by weight of the polymer block 102 and 95 to 5% by weight of the third polymer block 103.

Without being bound by theory, it is believed that an exemplary micelle will be comprised of about 10 to 500 block copolymers yielding, after crosslinking, a final hollow nano-particle having a M_(w) of between about 1,000 and 10,000,000,000, preferably between about 10,000 and 500,000.

The hollow nano-particles of the present invention are substantially in a ball shape. However, depending on the environmental conditions such as absence or presence of solvent, the hollow nano-particles may deviate from the ball shape and exhibit some shape defects, for example, some surface area of the ball may collapse inward to the void core 104. Normally these shape defects are acceptable, provided the hollow nano-particles basically retain their discrete nature with little or no polymerization between particles.

The hollow nano-particles preferably are substantially monodisperse and uniform in shape. The dispersity is represented by the ratio of M_(w) to M_(n), with a ratio of 1 being monodisperse. The polymer hollow nano-particles of the present invention preferably have a dispersity less than about 3, more preferably less than about 2, and most preferably less than about 1.5.

Generally, the hollow nano-particles have diameters, expressed as a mean average diameter, that are preferably in a range of from about 5 nm to about 500 nm, more preferably in a range of from about 10 nm to about 200 nm, and most preferably in a range of from about 5 nm to about 80 nm.

When anionic polymerization is selected to prepare the first globule 101 and the micelle copolymer containing blocks 102 and 103, any suitable anionic initiator may be used. For example, the anionic initiator can be selected from any known organolithium compound which is known in the art as being useful in the polymerization of the monomers having formulas (I), (II), and (III). Suitable organolithium compounds are represented by the formula as shown below:

R₁₃(Li)_(x)

wherein R₁₃ is a mono- or multiple-hydrocarbyl group containing 1 to 20, preferably 2-8, carbon atoms per R₁₃ group, and x is an integer of 1-4. Typically, x is 1, and the R₁₃ group includes aliphatic radicals and cycloaliphatic radicals, such as alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkylcycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl and alkylaryl radicals.

Specific examples of R₁₃ groups include, but are not limited to, alkyls such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, n-amyl, isoamyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl, n-decyl, and the like; cycloalkyls and alkylcycloalkyl such as cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, 2,2,1-bicycloheptyl, methylcyclopentyl, dimethylcyclopentyl, ethylcyclopentyl, methylcyclohexyl, dimethylcyclohexyl, ethylcyclohexyl, isopropylcyclohexyl, 4-butylcyclohexyl, and the like; cycloalkylalkyls such as cyclopentyl-methyl, cyclohexyl-ethyl, cyclopentyl-ethyl, methyl-cyclopentylethyl, 4-cyclohexylbutyl, and the like; alkenyls such as vinyl, propenyl, and the like; arylalkyls such as 4-phenylbutyl; aryls and alkylaryls such as phenyl, naphthyl, 4-butylphenyl, p-tolyl, and the like.

Other lithium initiators include, but are not limited to, 1,4-dilithiobutane, 1,5-dilithiopetane, 1,10-dilithiodecane, 1,20-dilithioeicosane, 1,4-dilithiobenzene, 1,4-dilithionaphthalene, 1,10-dilithioanthracene, 1,2-dilithio-1,2-diphenylethane, 1,3,5-trilithiopentane, 1,5,15-trilithioeicosane, 1,3,5-trilithiocyclohexane, 1,3,5,8-tetralithiodecane, 1,5,10,20-tetralithioeicosane, 1,2,4,6-tetralithiocyclohexane, 4,4′-dilithiobiphenyl, and the like. Preferred lithium initiators include n-butyllithium, sec-butyllithium, tert-butyllithium, 1,4-dilithiobutane, and mixtures thereof.

Other lithium initiators which can be employed are lithium dialkyl amines, lithium dialkyl phosphines, lithium alkyl aryl phosphines and lithium diaryl phosphines. Functionalized lithium initiators are also contemplated as useful in the present invention. Preferred functional groups include amines, formyl, carboxylic acids, alcohol, tin, silicon, silyl ether and mixtures thereof. A nano-particle including diblock polymers initiated with a functionalized initiator may include functional groups on the surface of the nano-particle.

The polymerization reactions used to prepare the first globule 101 and the micelle copolymers containing blocks 102 and 103 may be terminated with a terminating agent. Suitable terminating agents include, but are not limited to, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, and isopropanol; amines, MeSiCl₃, Me₂SiCl₂, Me₃SiCl, SnCl₄, MeSnCl₃, Me₂SnCl₂, Me₃SnCl, and etc.

A randomizing modifier or 1,2-microstructure controlling agent may optionally be used in preparing the first globule 101 and the micelle copolymer containing blocks 102 and 103, to control the 1,2-addition mechanism of formula (II) monomers, to increase the reaction rate, and also to equalize the reactivity ratio of monomers. The modifiers used in the present invention may be linear oxolanyl oligomers represented by the structural formula (IV) and cyclic oligomers represented by the structural formula (V), as shown below:

wherein R₁₄ and R₁₅ are independently hydrogen or a C₁-C₈ alkyl group; R₁₆, R₁₇, R₁₈, and R₁₉ are independently hydrogen or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group; y is an integer of 1 to 5 inclusive, and z is an integer of 3 to 5 inclusive.

Specific examples of modifiers include, but are not limited to, oligomeric oxolanyl propanes (OOPs); 2,2-bis-(4-methyl dioxane); bis(2-oxolanyl)methane; 1,1-bis(2-oxolanyl)ethane; bistetrahydrofuryl propane; 2,2-bis(2-oxolanyl)propane; 2,2-bis(5-methyl-2-oxolanyl)propane; 2,2-bis-(3,4,5-trimethyl-2-oxolanyl)propane; 2,5-bis(2-oxolanyl-2-propyl)oxolane; octamethylperhydrocyclotetrafurfurylene (cyclic tetramer); 2,2-bis(2-oxolanyl)butane; and the like. A mixture of two or more 1,2-microstructure controlling agents also can be used. The preferred modifiers for use in the present invention are oligomeric oxolanyl propanes (OOPs).

Other suitable modifiers are hexamethylphosphoric acid triamide, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylene diamine, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, triethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, diethyl ether, triethylamine, tri-n-butylamine, tri-n-butylphosphine, p-dioxane, 1,2-dimethoxy ethane, dimethyl ether, methyl ethyl ether, ethyl propyl ether, di-n-propyl ether, di-n-octyl ether, anisole, dibenzyl ether, diphenyl ether, dimethylethylamine, bis-oxalanyl propane, tri-n-propyl amine, trimethyl amine, triethyl amine, N,N-dimethyl aniline, N-ethylpiperidine, N-methyl-N-ethyl aniline, N-methylmorpholine, and tetramethylenediamine etc. A mixture of one or more randomizing modifiers also can be used.

The present invention therefore provides a hollow nano-particle, which comprises a crosslinked shell and a void core.

The diameter of the void core is in a range of from about 1 nm to less than about 500 nm, and preferably in a range of from about 1 nm to about 100 nm. In one embodiment, the outer portion of the crosslinked shell comprises polymer blocks made from a monomer of the formula (II) as described above, such as a C₄-C₈ conjugated diene, for example 1,3-butadiene. In this embodiment, the inner portion of the crosslinked shell comprises polymer blocks made from a monomer of the formula (III) as described above, such as styrene. The inner portion is crosslinked by a di-vinyl- or tri-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon such as divinylbenzene (DVB).

The hollow nano-particle of the present invention typically has a M_(w) of between about 1,000 and 10,000,000,000, preferably between about 10,000 and 500,000. The molecular weight ratio between the outer portion and the inner portion of the crosslinked shell is from about 1:99 to about 99:1.

The hollow nano-particle of the present invention typically has a ball shape or collapsed ball shape with a dispersity less than about 2.5, preferably less than about 1.5.

The hollow nano-particle of the present invention may be widely used in industrial applications, including but not limited to pharmaceutical delivery systems, rubber compositions, and tire products with traction improvement.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the void core of the nano-particles may be utilized as, for example, nano-holes for damping purpose, such as the foams of nano-sized bubbles. The material of nano-sized holes may also be very important for separation of gases and liquids, such as the O₂ separator for divers.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the void core of the nano-particles may be partially or fully “filled” by any number of substances, such as liquids, pharmaceuticals, and process aids such as oils. The hollow nano-particles may also therefore be extensively used in medical applications such as pharmaceutical delivery systems, in polymer additions, and in inks to, for example, affect the mixing energy and filler dispersion.

Furthermore, as can be appreciated by a skilled person in the art, not only because of the physical and chemical properties of the hollow nano-particles such as size, shape, density, hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance, polarity, aromaticity, solubility and compatibility with different mediums, and morphology, but also because of various functionalities that can be introduced from functionalized anionic initiators used during the preparation of the hollow nano-particles and that can be introduced from chemical modifications based on the reactive unsaturated bonds in blocks 102 in the nano-particles, such as surface modification and functionalization with linked monomers and functional groups, and general characteristic tailoring etc., the hollow nano-particles of the present invention advantageously may have great potential in improving their performance in rubbers, tires, thermoplastics, and other industrial applications.

For example, the second polymer blocks 102 that are made from conjugate dienes may be further crosslinked to form a solid hard shell, depending on the crosslinking density. It also may be hydrogenated to form a modified surface layer. A hydrogenation step may be carried out by methods known in the art for hydrogenating polymers, particularly polydienes. A preferred hydrogenation method includes placing the hollow nano-particles in a hydrogenation reactor in the presence of a catalyst. After the catalyst has been added to the reactor, hydrogen gas (H₂) is charged to the reactor to begin the hydrogenation reaction. The pressure is adjusted to a desired range, preferably between about 10 and 3000 kPa, more preferably between about 50 and 2600 kPa. H₂ may be charged continuously or in individual charges until the desired conversion is achieved. Preferably, the hydrogenation reaction will reach at least about 40% conversion, more preferably greater than about 85% conversion.

Preferred catalysts include known hydrogenation catalysts such as Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ni, and mixtures thereof. The catalysts may be finely dispersed solids or absorbed on inert supports such as carbon, silica, or alumina. Especially preferred catalysts are prepared from nickel octolate, nickel ethylhexanoate, and mixtures thereof.

The surface layer formed by a hydrogenation step will vary depending on the identity of the monomer of formula (II) utilized in the formation of the nano-particle surface layer. For example, after hydrogenation, a 1,3-butadiene polymer layer will become a crystalline poly(ethylene) layer. In other embodiments, a surface layer of the hollow nano-particle may include both ethylene and propylene units after hydrogenation, if a conjugated diene such as isoprene monomer has been used as the monomer of formula (II).

A variety of applications are contemplated for use in conjunction with the hollow nano-particles of the present invention. Furthermore, modification of the hollow nano-particles renders them suitable for many other different applications. All forms of the present inventive hollow nano-particles are, of course, contemplated for use in each of the exemplary applications and all other applications envisioned by the skilled artisan.

After the polymer hollow nano-particles have been formed, they may be blended with a rubber to improve the physical characteristics of the rubber composition. Hollow nano-particles are useful modifying agents for rubbers because they are discrete particles which are capable of dispersing uniformly throughout the rubber composition, resulting in uniformity of physical characteristics. Furthermore, certain of the present polymer hollow nano-particles are advantageous because, for example, the outer poly(conjugated diene) blocks 102 are capable of bonding with rubber matrix due to the accessibility of their double bonds.

The present polymer hollow nano-particles are suitable for modifying a variety of rubbers including, but not limited to, random styrene/butadiene copolymers, butadiene rubber, poly(isoprene), nitrile rubber, polyurethane, butyl rubber, EPDM, and the like. Advantageously, the present hollow nano-particles may be used to improve rubber tensile and tear strength etc. to a great degree.

Furthermore, hollow nano-particles with hydrogenated surface layers may demonstrate improved compatibility with specific rubbers. For example, hollow nano-particles including a hydrogenated polyisoprene surface layer may have superior bonding with and improved dispersion in an EPDM rubber matrix due to the compatibility of hydrogenated isoprene with EPDM rubber.

Additionally, the hollow nano-particles may demonstrate improved compatibility with rubbers. The tail-like copolymer comprising blocks 102 may form a brush-like surface. The host rubber composition is then able to diffuse between the tails allowing improved interaction between the host and the hollow nano-particles.

Hydrogenated hollow nano-particles prepared in accordance with the present invention may also find applications in hard disk technology. The hydrogenated hollow nano-particles, when compounded with a polyalkylene and a rubber, will demonstrate a tensile strength comparable to that necessary in hard disk drive compositions.

Hollow nano-particles prepared in accord with the present invention, whether hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated may also be blended with a variety of thermoplastic elastomers, such as SEPS, SEBS, EEBS, EEPE, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene. For example, hollow nano-particles with hydrogenated isoprene surface layers may be blended with a SEPS thermoplastic to improve tensile strength and thermostability.

Surface functionalized hollow nano-particles prepared in accordance with the present invention, whether hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated, may also be compounded with silica containing rubber compositions. Including surface functionalized hollow nano-particles in silica containing rubber compositions may potentially decrease the shrinkage rates of such silica containing rubber compositions.

The hollow nano-particle of the present invention can also be used to modify rubber in situations requiring superior damping properties, such as engine mounts and hoses (e.g. air conditioning hoses). Rubber compounds of high mechanical strength, super damping properties, and strong resistance to creep are demanded in engine mount manufacturers. Utilizing the nano-particles within selected rubber formulations can improve the characteristics of the rubber compounds.

Similarly, the hollow nano-particles can be added into typical plastic materials, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, to for example, enhance impact strength, tensile strength and damping properties. Of course, the present inventive hollow nano-particles are also suited to other presently existing applications for nano-particles, including the medical field, e.g. drug delivery and blood applications, ER fluids, information technology, e.g. quantum computers and dots, aeronautical and space research, environment and energy, e.g., oil refining, and lubricants.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the description herein, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The following examples are included to provide additional guidance to those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention. The examples provided are merely representative of the work that contributes to the teaching of the present application. Accordingly, these examples are not intended to limit the invention, as defined in the appended claims, in any manner.

EXAMPLES

For all below described material preparations, styrene in hexane (32.8 weight percent styrene), butadiene in hexane (21.0 weight percent butadiene), hexane, butyl lithium (1.54 M), OOPS (1.6M), isopropanol and BHT were used as supplied.

Example 1

To a 32 oz. nitrogen purged bottle, 100 g of pure hexane, 77 g of styrene/hexane blend (32.8 wt % styrene), 0.2 ml of OOPS, and 1.0 ml of 1.54M butyl lithium were added. Then, the bottle was agitated in a water bath of 80° C. for 20 minutes. The resulting solution appeared to be red. After that, the bottle was charged with 0.1 ml nitrogen purged isopropanol to terminate the reaction. Since polystyrene is not soluble in hexane, the bottle was again placed in a 80° C. water bath in order to complete the termination. The resultant solution was milky. Then, 72 g of 1,4-butadiene/hexane blend (21.0 wt %) was added into the bottle. The reaction was reinitialized by adding 1 ml of 1.54M butyl lithium to the bottle. The solution turned a light yellow. After a 20-minute reaction, 55 g styrene/hexane blend (32.8 wt % styrene) was charged into the bottle. The solution turned a red color. After additional 20-minute reaction period, the bottle was allowed to cool down to 40° C. and then 8 ml DVB was added into the bottle. The solution immediately turned deep red. Finally, after about 1 hour reaction, the solution was terminated by charging the bottle with 1 ml isopropanol. About 0.2 g BHT was added into the solution, and the product was obtained after evaporating the solvent.

Example 2

The procedure used in Example 1 was used except for some changes of materials charged. To a 32 oz. nitrogen purged bottle, 100 g of pure hexane, 84.2 g of styrene/hexane blend (32.8 wt % styrene), 0.1 ml of OOPS, and 0.5 ml of 1.54M butyl lithium were added. Then, the bottle was agitated in a water bath of 80° C. for 20 minutes. After that, the bottle was charged with 0.05 ml nitrogen purged isopropanol. The polystyrene was completely phased out from the solvent. Then, 71 g of 1,4-butadiene/hexane blend (21.0 wt %) were added into the bottle. The reaction was reinitialized with adding to the bottle 1 ml of 1.54M butyl lithium. After 20-minute reaction, 15 ml styrene/hexane blend (32.8 wt % styrene) was charged into the bottle. After additional 20-minute reaction, the solution appeared milk-like, the bottle was allowed to cool down to 40° C. and then 17 ml DVB was added into the bottle. The reaction was finally terminated with isopropanol and the material protected with adding 0.2 g BHT.

Example 3

The procedure used in Example 2 was used here except for some changes of materials charged. To a 32 oz. nitrogen purged bottle, 95 g of pure hexane, 87 g of styrene/hexane blend (32.8 wt % styrene), 0.2 ml of OOPS, and 1.0 ml of 1.54M butyl lithium were added. Then, the bottle was agitated in a water bath of 80° C. for 1 hour. After that, the bottle was charged with 0.1 ml nitrogen purged isopropanol. The bottle was agitated in the 80° C. water bath for another 2 hours. Then, 74 g of 1,4-butadiene/hexane blend (21.0 wt %) were added into the bottle. The reaction was re-initialized with adding the bottle 1 ml of 1.54M butyl lithium. After 30-minute reaction, 15 ml styrene/hexane blend (32.8 wt % styrene) was charged into the bottle. After an additional 30-minute reaction, the solution appeared milk-like, the bottle was allowed to cool down to 40° C., and then 25 ml DVB was added into the bottle. The reaction took place for 2 hours and finally terminated with isopropanol. The material protected with adding 0.1 g BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene). After evaporation of the solvent, a white powder-like material was obtained.

Example 4

The nano-sized dense-core particles obtained from Example 3 was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FIGS. 2 and 3 show the 100 nm-scale and 400 nm-scale TEM images of the not-yet-hollow nano-particles before toluene extraction, which as will be seen is very different from that of the final hollow nano-particles.

Example 5

0.5 g of the material from Example 3 was dissolved into 40 ml toluene to make a toluene solution. Hexane was then used to precipitate the polystyrene, because the hollowed particles can be well dispersed in hexane solution. Using centrifuging, the hollowed particle was separated with the free polystyrene. Finally, the hexane solution was further diluted to about 10-5 wt %. A small drop of the final solution was placed on a copper micro-grid. After the solvent evaporated, the surface was then examined under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FIGS. 4 and 5 show the 100 nm-scale and 200 nm-scale TEM images respectively. The particles appeared as nano-sized donuts indicating the particles were hollowed. The donut-like appearance was well known for hollow particles, for example, red blood cells appearance under optical microscopy. The donut appearance came from collapse of a hollow ball on a flat surface.

The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 

It is claimed:
 1. A method of preparing hollow nano-particles, which comprises (A) in a first solvent, providing a first polymer globule which is insoluble in the first solvent; (B) adding to the first solvent a second polymer, or adding the monomers corresponding to the second polymer and synthesizing the second polymer, the second polymer being soluble in the first solvent, and adding a third polymer, or adding the monomers corresponding to the third polymer and synthesizing the third polymer, the third polymer being insoluble in the first solvent; (C) copolymerizing the second polymer with the third polymer to form block copolymers with a soluble second polymer block and an insoluble third polymer block; (D) around the first polymer globule, assembling a micelle from the block copolymers which comprise the soluble second polymer blocks and the insoluble third polymer blocks; (E) crosslinking the insoluble third polymer blocks; and (F) in a second solvent in which the first polymer globule is soluble, dissolving out at least a portion of the first polymer globule from inside the micelle to form a hollow or void core.
 2. The method according to claim 1, in which the first solvent comprises a non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbon, alicyclic hydrocarbon, and mixture thereof.
 3. The method according to claim 1, in which the providing a first polymer globule is realized by anionically polymerizing monomer of formula (I) as shown below:

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ are independent of each other and selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, and isopropyl; and m is an integral number in the range of from 0 to
 6. 4. The method according to claim 3, in which the monomer of formula (I) comprises styrene.
 5. The method according to claim 1, in which the size of the first polymer globule or the size of the void core is in a range of from about 1 nm to about 500 nm.
 6. The method according to claim 1, in which the second polymer is polymerized from monomer of formula (II) as shown below:

in which R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, and isopropyl.
 7. The method according to claim 1, in which the second polymer of step (B) comprises poly(1,3-butadiene).
 8. The method according to claim 1, in which the third polymer of step (C) comprises an anionically polymerized monomer of formula (III) as shown below:

in which R₉, R₁₀, R₁₁, and R₁₂ are independent of each other and selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, and isopropyl; and p is an integral number in a range of from 0 to
 6. 9. The method according to claim 8, in which the monomer of formula (III) comprises styrene.
 10. The method according to claim 1, in which the crosslinking in Step (E) is carried out by using a di-vinyl- or tri-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon.
 11. The method according to claim 10, in which the aromatic hydrocarbon comprises divinylbenzene (DVB).
 12. The method according to claim 1, in which the second solvent in Step (F) is selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene, xylene, THF, HCC13, and mixture thereof.
 13. The method according to claim 1, which optionally comprises a further step of separating the first polymer and the hollow nano-particle by centrifuging, precipitation, and/or phase separation.
 14. The method according to claim 1, in which the block copolymer formed in Steps (B) and (C) has a Mw of about 100 to 100,000,000.
 15. The method according to claim 1, in which the block copolymers formed in Steps (B) and (C) comprises 1 to 99% by weight of the second polymer block and 99 to 1% by weight of the third polymer block.
 16. The method according to claim 1, in which the final hollow nano-particle has a Mw of between about 1,000 and 10,000,000,000.
 17. The method according to claim 1, in which the final hollow nano-particle has a dispersity less than about 2.5.
 18. The method according to claim 1, in which the size of the final hollow nano-particle is in a range of from about 2 nm to about 300 nm.
 19. The method according to claim 1, in which an anionic initiator is used in Steps (A), (B) and/or (C).
 20. The method according to claim 19, in which the anionic initiator is functionalized with amine, formyl, carboxylic acids, alcohol, tin, silicon, silyl ether, or mixture thereof.
 21. The method according to claim 1, further including a step of hydrogenation of the shell of the hollow nano-particle.
 22. The method according to claim 1, further including a step of crosslinking of the shell of the hollow nano-particle 